Poor hoof condition is common in all types of horses and ponies and can lead to practical problems such as splitting of the hoof and losing shoes. Whilst many different minerals, vitamins and other ingredients (e.g. yeasts) are included in hoof supplements there is only significant supporting evidence for the use of D-Biotin.

A recent paper from Sweden reported that the heritability of hoof “health” was low (only 0.1; Jonsson et al. (2013). The implication is that management (diet, hoofcare, farriery, etc) plays a much larger role in hoof health than genetic factors. Thus, it is possible for owners to help support hoof health through good practice and nutritional support.

In a survey of geriatric horses (over 15 years of age) Ireland et al. (2012) reported that 80% had hoof abnormalities. A number of studies have demonstrated benefits from long term feeding of D-Biotin.

Long-term supplementation with biotin at a feeding rate of 0.031-0.037 mg/kg body weight (equivalent to 15.5 mg to 18.5 mg) up to 10 months resulted in an improvement of the horn quality of the growing hoof (Wintzer 1986). The effects of dietary supplementation with a high level of the B-group vitamin biotin were investigated in more than 40 cases of horses with poor hoof quality (Comben et al. 1984).

Varying degrees of improvement in the hardness, integrity and conformation of the hoof horn were observed in all cases. It was concluded that “dietary supplementation with 10 to 30 mg biotin/day (depending on bodyweight) for not less than six to nine months is beneficial to support other remedial measures in such cases”.

Increased hoof growth rate and hardness has been reported in Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred cross horses fed 15 mg D-Biotin per day for 10 months (Buffa et al. 1992) whilst a 15% increase in hoof growth rate was seen in ponies supplemented with 0.12 mg D-Biotin/kg bodyweight/day (equivalent to 60mg/day for a 500kg horse) for 5 months (Reilly et al. 1998).

The growth rate of the coronary horn of horses supplemented with biotin and of control horses was the same. The hoof horn condition deteriorated in 7 of 10 horses after biotin supplementation was reduced or terminated. It was concluded that biotin should be continuously supplemented at the full feeding rate.